What is a pre-lodgement meeting?

As a prospective applicant you have the option of requesting a pre-lodgement meeting prior to lodging your Development Application (DA) with Wollongong City Council.

A pre-lodgement meeting can be arranged for most types of developments including single residential dwellings located within an environmentally sensitive area or with specific design issues.

The purpose of the meeting is to provide an overall response to your development proposal and to identify and discuss in detail any issues that may arise, to assist you in preparing your DA.

A cross-section of Council staff attends the meeting to assist with providing specific technical information relevant to your proposal.

What do I need to do?

You will need to familiarise yourself with the relevant Council codes, policies and planning instruments beforehand. Visit Council’s Development Regulation and Policies webpage to access the Local Environmental Plans (LEP) and Development Control Plan (DCP).

You will need to carry out a site analysis, consider development options and prepare preliminary plans.

How do I request a pre-lodgement meeting?

To arrange a pre-lodgement meeting you will need to:

Complete an Application for Pre-Lodgement Meeting form

Provide two (2) copies of the following: a. site plan b. elevation plans (with dimensions) c. site analysis plan, and d. any other supporting documentation.

Provide a list of specific issues to be addressed at the pre-lodgement meeting

Pay the pre-lodgement application fee

Payment of the pre-lodgement application fee is required at the time you submit your application form to Council for processing. Payment can be made either in person at Council’s Customer Service Centre or by post (cheque only). Fees are in accordance with Council’s current Fees and Charges.

Pre-lodgement meetings are held weekly on Mondays (morning) and Wednesdays (afternoon). Council will contact you to arrange a suitable appointment time for the meeting to be held. One week’s notice of the meeting will be required, to give staff the opportunity to look at the site, investigate any issues and provide the best possible assistance and advice.

Pre-lodgement meeting notes

A record of every meeting is kept and a copy of the notes will be sent following the meeting.

Advice given at pre-lodgement meetings

It is important to know that advice given by Council staff at a pre-lodgement meeting does not constitute an approval.

A pre-lodgement meeting is held in good faith to assist prospective applicants in the preparation of their DA.

Please note that:

relevant legislation and Council’s policy requirements can vary from the time of the meeting to lodgement of the application; and

public exhibition of the DA can raise unexpected relevant new issues requiring lodgement of new or amended information.

However, Council staff will make every endeavour to ensure consistency of advice. Whenever possible, the Development Project Officer attending the meeting will also be the assessing officer who processes your DA.